XPND vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Technology Equities funds. XPND is actively managed, while XLK is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XPND returned 28.18%/yr vs 33.90%/yr for XLK. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

XPND vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPND achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 36.47% return.

XPND

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 12.34%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 15.44%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 28.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XPND vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	16.32%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	22.66%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and XLK is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.95

The correlation between XPND and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

XPND vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	XLK
Technology	76.5%	99.7%
Communication Services	15.7%	-
Financial Services	5.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XPND vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 45
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

XPND vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	XPND	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	3.24	-1.43
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.92	-1.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.52	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	4.22	-2.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	14.16	-8.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPND vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND and XLK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XPND	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	3.24	-1.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.96	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.42	+0.27

Drawdowns

XPND vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-82.05%	+44.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-15.92%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-25.66%	+2.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.56%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-1.00%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-34.96%	+24.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	4.74%	+1.16%

Volatility

XPND vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is 4.57%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 6.98%. This indicates that XPND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	6.98%	-2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	16.68%	-2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	20.82%	-2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.88%	24.90%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	24.49%	-0.61%

XPND vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.09%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and XLK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, XPND and XLK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XPND or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (6.98%) compared to XPND (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or XLK?

On 3-year performance, XLK leads with 33.90% vs 28.18% for XPND. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XPND has been the lower-risk option at 4.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPND or XLK?

Over the 3-year period, XLK has performed better with a 33.90% return vs 28.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for XPND.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XPND or XLK?

XLK has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.09% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and XLK?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 1.81), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.